The Taming of Gods
An Akito X OC fanfiction story. Please leave a review.
Musical inspiration: Love Runs out by One Republic
Chapter 5
Meda had spent longer than she'd realised at Akito's house and it was late evening by the time she finally returned home.
'Where the hell have you been?' Meda reeled back in surprise as a fuming Kyo dropped unexpectedly from the roof of the house.
'Kyo! Careful- you could have gotten seriously hurt!'
'Don't be silly. Cat's always land on their feet. And don't tell me to be more careful after what you did today: disappearing without telling anyone where you've gone! I've- I mean the damn rat and Shigure have been worried sick about you all afternoon!' Kyo calmed down after he realised that Meda was on the verge of tears because of him screaming at her. Maybe he had been a little too harsh on her.
'I-I'm sorry. I didn't realise you guys would be so worried about me. I didn't think- I'm sorry.' Her bottom lip trembled as she blinked back tears. Kyo yelling at her had been terrifying but she was more upset about the fact that she had caused them so much tension and worry.
'Oh, don't cry.' Kyo looked suddenly ashamed. 'Come here.' He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her close, making sure that they weren't properly embracing lest he accidently transformed. Meda rested her head against his shoulders. He felt a strange rush at having her so close to him. He looked down at her, his expression uncharacteristically tender as they walked back into the house. She was shorter than him, her head only coming up to his neck; just the perfect height for hugging her, according to him. If only he didn't have that damn curse. His jaw tightened unhappily as he cursed for the billionth time the terrible spell that afflicted him. He couldn't get close to her; he couldn't get close to anybody. He was a monster. If she could see his true form, she would run in fear or blanch in disgust; she would hate him. Reluctantly, he let go of her, immediately missing the feel of her warm body pressed against his side. Even though he couldn't hug her, he could still hold her, gingerly. But being the outcast, the disgraced Jyuunishi, he wasn't even allowed that privilege.
He hated it. He hated the curse, Akito and that damn rat. He blamed them all for how miserable his life was.
Meda's intuition picked up on the bitter aura that had wrapped itself around her friend.
'Kyo, please don't be sad. You can't help the curse- none of you can. But being the cat doesn't make you a disgrace. Even if you aren't an official part of the Zodiac, the others all love you. You are special: you're special to me.' Meda said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Kyo looked at her in astonishment, continuing to stare after her figure even once she'd let go of his hand and busied herself in making dinner. A small smile appeared on his face. Maybe his fate wasn't sealed yet, after all.
Over dinner, Meda apologized to all of them again for the worry she'd caused them by disappearing like that after school.
'Where were you anyway?' Yuki asked curiously. She had been gone a very long time.
'Ah… I had a job interview.' She answered. 'I secured a job as medical assistant for a rather famous doctor today. I'll be working there after school everyday, starting tomorrow.' She wasn't lying, exactly. She'd just omitted a few details. Still she felt guilt writhing in her stomach. It wasn't like her to tell lies- she absolutely sucked at lying. The sense of guilt was overwhelming and she just didn't like deceiving people on the whole. But this time, she had no choice. Kyo and Yuki would freak if they found out she was really working for Akito. They were far too protective of her. Deciding it best that they be kept in the dark about her employer for the time being, she hurriedly changed the topic. 'But don't worry- you guys can have me for the rest of the time! I get Sundays off and the fair's coming to town next month so if you guys wanted to go, or something…' She trailed off at the looks the guys were giving her. Kyo and Yuki looked at her with strange, shy expressions on their faces. Shigure, as expected, was thrilled about the whole affair:
'Ohhh! A FAIR! It's going to be so much fun! We can take Aya too and it'll be just like the good old days! Cotton candy, and riding the Ferris wheel and getting stuck at the top with a pretty girl, and kissing booths!'
'Um… Shigure I don't think you can just kiss random strangers like that.' Meda said but it fell on deaf ears. Shigure was lost in his own twisted world of perverted fantasies. With a sigh she began clearing up the dishes on the table.
The next day, she went straight to the Honke after school. Akito had given her strict instructions to attend to him the minute she was dismissed from class.
'You're late.' Was the curt greeting she was met with when she finally entered his bedroom. Meda stopped for a minute to catch her breath, as she had cycled as fast as she could to get here.
'I came as soon as I could, Akito.' She gasped.
'It's Mr Sohma, to you.' He said coldly, coming towards her with his eyes full of black fire. Meda's eyes widened and for a second she thought he would slap her, but thankfully he managed to regain his mask of cool composure and merely brushed past her.
'Well, Mr Sohma, if you could please lie down on the bed, I need to give you a check up first.' She had suddenly adopted a clipped, business-like tone, and Akito didn't like the authority she was showing one bit. Time to put her in her place.
'No.' He stated simply, opting instead to wrap an arm around her, drawing her uncomfortably close.
'W-What are you doing?' Meda gulped, her vivid green eyes searching his cavernous black ones. He was trying to be intimidating and though she wouldn't let it show, he was certainly succeeding.
'Showing you your place.' He muttered under his breath. Louder he said, 'I might be more inclined to lie down on the bed if you joined me.'
With an evil smile, he hefted her up as though she weighed nothing and placed her on the bed, trapping her there with his body.
'Akito- I mean Mr Sohma, what are you doing? Please, stop.' Meda made to get up, but he easily pushed her down, his hands wandering across her body, reaching down to places they shouldn't be. She didn't like it one bit and she began to feel her usually placid temper begin to rise. Who did he think he was?
'STOP.' Using a strength he didn't know she possessed, she bodily pushed him off her. He fell back in surprise at her unexpected rebellion. He didn't know she could be this passionate- he'd mistaken her to be quiet, simple, boring.
He smiled widely before obliging her earlier request by blithely lying back down on the bed.
Meda had gotten off the bed and stared at him, her eyes bugging a little.
'Get on with it, then. I thought you had to give me a check up.' Akito said breezily. Meda couldn't believe this: he had just molested her, on the verge of raping her and now he was acting as though nothing had occurred? Meda stood in a silence for a moment, unsure of how to react. His aura was confusing her- it seemed almost curious, teasing? She wasn't sure if he was ever going to really hurt her, but she hadn't appreciated his little display of power.
'Listen, mate, I don't know what kind of inferior complex drives you to show dominance over people by molesting them, but I for one do not appreciate it. I'm not one of those girls that are going to fall head over heels and give themselves up for you because you shoot them a sexy look with those smouldering eyes of yours and they think they're special. I've read your soul: I know better than that. So keep your tricks to yourself and let me get on with my job.' She said sharply, continuing about her work with an unbecoming frown on her elegant face.
Akito was astounded by her audacity. How dare she insinuate, no, state outright, that he has an inferior complex. But… She thought he was sexy?
'Focus!' he scolded himself internally. This was no time to get distracted, although he did hold a grudging admiration for her no nonsense, intelligent demeanour. So far all the girls he'd met in his life had not failed to convince him of their stupidity. None of them were worth the trouble of courting once he managed to lure them into his bed.
This one was… different.
Meda's heart was racing like a cheetah's. She had not meant to say what she had aloud, but Akito's behaviour was way out of line. She half expected him to summon lightning or something to strike her down. When no such event occurred, she relaxed. Meda realised, somewhat unhappily, that the closest thing she was going to get to an apology was Akito not tearing her down for her impudence. With a sigh, she began using her powers to scan him down. This job was going to be a lot wearier than she was expecting.
Over the next few weeks, Meda had finished scanning and reading and getting an image of the nature and extent of Akito's illnesses. When she realised how much the poor guy had suffered through his life, her kind heart had swelled with pity again, despite how hard he was making her life.
'You're acting like a child.' She finally snapped in exasperation when Akito yet again refused something she'd asked him to do.
'Watch your tongue, you foolish girl. Remember who you're talking to-' Akito roared and Meda took the opportunity to slip the bitter tasting, healing medicine she'd spent all day and most of her energy making. Akito coughed and spluttered but Meda quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, forcing him to swallow. She immediately handed him some sweet, fresh juice she'd made for him. Akito took it, grateful to have something to replace the bitter taste in his mouth, but still glaring at her. Before he could yell at her again, Meda placed a quick kiss on his cheek for "being a good boy" and left, telling him she'd return the following day.
By the time Akito had stopped gagging, Meda was gone, leaving him blushing furiously at the kiss she'd given him. When had she grown so bold with him? Akito roughly rubbed his cheek where she'd kissed him, trying to get rid of the tingling sensation that was somewhat pleasurable. No! He couldn't think like this. He hated her. She was just a means to an end; he only had to tolerate her until she healed him completely and then he could be freed of her. Awful woman, always giving him nasty tasting medicines that made him want to gag. Akito sometimes suspected that she made her medicine taste revolting on purpose to get back at him for all the times he tormented her. Maybe she thought it was ironic or something- bitter medicine to suit his bitter mood.
Whatever she did, though, Akito found himself becoming more patient with her. She didn't annoy him nearly half as much as she had the first time he'd met her and she'd improved his temperament too, although Hatori and his maids saw the worse side of it when they said so to him.
AN: Meda and the guys are going to the fair next time- that'll be fun! Hopefully I'll update soon but I have exams so please be patient. Also, please leave a review!